Wage and Hour Investigator I
Location: Hunt Valley, MD
Job Number: 23-002518-0002
Salary: $41,890 - $53,896
Closing Date: December 29, 2023
Maryland Department of Labor is currently accepting applications from qualified candidates for Wage and Hour Investigator I within the Division of Labor and Industry, Employment Standards Unit.
As a member of the DLI team, you can have a fulfilling career, while also enjoying a wide range of benefits such as medical and dental coverage, paid time off (i.e. vacation, sick leave), becoming vested in the State pension, supplemental retirement options, and even joining the Maryland State Employees Credit Union.
This position will travel statewide for inspections.
The main purpose of this position is to enforce and increase voluntary compliance with Maryland protective labor and employment laws which fall under the responsibility of the Department of Labor.
The responsibility of the Division of Labor and Industry Wage and Hour Investigator I is to:
- enforce and increase voluntary compliance with Maryland protective labor and employment laws which fall under the responsibility of the Department of Labor, Labor and Industry, Employment Standards Service.
- enforce the Maryland Healthy Working Families Act.
- enforce compliance of the Maryland Prevailing Wage procurement laws §§17-201 -17-226 and COMAR 21.11.11; and investigate labor practices of work providers in and identify situations in which an individual is being misclassified as an “independent contractor” when they are in fact an employee.
Investigation: Conducts investigations and examinations by performing analysis and research to enhance labor law compliance in the state. Performs this function using established investigative discovery methods and evidentiary analysis of payroll, personnel policies, contracts, time records and other required documentation.
Evaluation: Evaluates and relates facts to compliance requirements, citing applicable labor laws and regulations, for the purpose of employee empowerment, preventing violations, and public education. Performs this function through direct telephone contact with program constituents, responsive letter writing, faxing requested documentary information, emails, and in person communications.
Adjudication: Adjudicates labor law violations after considering investigation results. Provides testimony during
hearings or trials regarding decisions. Enforces decisions by issuing citations, penalties, wage orders, final wage
orders, subpoenas, and other notices.
Outreach and Education: Provides consultation services to employers, employees, and other interested persons to improve labor law compliance in the state. Performs this function through written and oral communication, group presentations, and collaboration with employers to establish labor law compliance programs.
Communication: Communicates with employers, employees, and other interested persons orally and in writing for the purposes of collecting unpaid obligations, issuing enforcement documents, addressing inquiries, and providing conciliation services.
Report Writing: Prepares narrative reports detailing investigations and follow-up activities.
Sick and Safe
Implement and enforce the Maryland Health Working Families Act (due to its scope, complexity and protections, these complaints involve significantly investigative effort than typical wage cases. Additionally, these complaints also involve a wide variance of investigative techniques to obtain documents needed for accurate review including analyzing employer leave policies, and interviewing employers and employees in the field.) Investigates alleged sick leave complaints and negotiates agreements to sick leave complaints in the state.
Prevailing Wage
Performs site investigation, employee interview, employer conferences at construction sites; interviews and
photographs employees while working to determine compliance with the craft classifications listed in the Prevailing Wage Law. Conducts pre-construction meetings where he/she interprets the laws and regulations. Looks at tax avoidance by employers using 1099 Independent Contractor status and misclassification. The investigator must issue a charge letter to the General Contractor/subcontractor and access the Liquidated Damages approximated for the violation. Each investigator must maintain contact with the employees that have filed claims of underpayment.
WCPU
Conducts investigations and examinations by performing analysis and research to enhance labor law compliance in the state. Performs this function using established investigative discovery methods and evidentiary analysis of
payroll, personnel policies, contracts, time records and other required documentation.
Other duties as assigned: Performs all other duties assigned
